The Foreign Office of Pakistan decided to put off an official reaction to a recent verdict by a New York federal court Wednesday, whereby a Pakistani national, Asif Raza Merchant, was charged with plotting the assassination of former US President Donald Trump.
Merchant, 46, with suspected links with Iran, has been a cause of concern among the Pakistani government. The Foreign Office was bombarded with questions relating to him and said it is in touch with U.S. officials to understand the situation better.
"We have seen the media reports and are in touch with the U.S. authorities to seek further details. We have taken cognizance of the fact that U.S. officials have termed this as an ongoing investigation," the Foreign Office said in a statement. "We will have to ascertain the antecedents of the individual concerned before reacting officially to it."
Experts say the case has the potential of severely straining U.S.-Pakistan relations and expanding into a broader diplomatic crisis.
He is accused of having taken part in a "murder-for-hire" plot to kill a U.S. politician or government official on American soil. According to FBI Director Christopher Wray, the scheme was "dangerous" and had its roots in Iranian plans; he pointed out that Merchant was from Iran.
It is learnt that he was from Karachi, a Shia, but had two wives-one with their children living in Iran while the other resides in Pakistan. Reports have come in that he may have received instructions from the Iranian intelligence, though this is yet to be confirmed.
Case facts show that Merchant spent a period of time in Iran before he went to the U.S. in April 2024. Upon his arrival, he contacted his source to assist him in executing the plot and met with the man in New York during June 2024. In that encounter, Merchant discussed his plan regarding Trump's murder by stating that his opportunity would arise, and he will have many other opportunities; he motioned by gesture that it will be severe.
He was contacted by the U.S. contact of his co-conspirator, who asked whether he had coordinated with his co-conspirators in Pakistan. Merchant did admit having received instructions to carry out his mission and leave the United States. He thus contacted U.S. law enforcement regarding the plot and became a cooperating source.
This led to a meeting between Merchant and undercover law enforcement officers posing as hitmen in New York. He reportedly solicited services ranging from stealing documents to holding demonstrations against him to having him murdered. He was to pay $5,000 as an advance for the hitmen and was to leave the U.S. on July 12. But before that he was arrested and the whole scheme came to light.
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